CMU Honors Campus Educational Leaders

Celebrating Sharon Carver’s Impact on Education at Carnegie Mellon University

Sharon Carver’s career at Carnegie Mellon University spans over 30 years, during which she has become a cornerstone of educational excellence and innovation. Her work has left a lasting impression on both students and faculty alike, thanks to her unwavering commitment and profound expertise.

Carver’s roles at CMU are numerous and influential. As the former director of the Children’s School, a teaching professor of psychology, and the associate dean for educational affairs at the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences, she has seamlessly integrated research with teaching, always placing students at the forefront.

Lucy Truschel, a 2019 graduate, remarked, “What I believe to be most remarkable about Dr. Carver is that she can simultaneously create and execute projects at an institutional scale and still make students — college-age and preschool alike — feel like her first priority.”

Under her leadership, the Children’s School thrived as a nurturing environment for young learners and an essential research resource for students and faculty. Richard Scheines, Bess Family Dean of the Dietrich College, highlighted this by saying, “Many of us have sent our own children there. There is no higher praise.”

Carver’s influence extends beyond CMU as she helped establish the Pittsburgh Alliance of University Schools and contributed significantly to the International Association of Laboratory Schools. Jill Sarada, director of the Falk Laboratory School, noted, “Sharon is an inspiration to everyone I know in the laboratory school world.”

At CMU, she co-led the Program in Interdisciplinary Educational Research (PIER) with David Klahr, engaging over 100 students from 15 departments. Alumni frequently describe her course, Educational Goals, Instruction, and Assessment, as transformative, enhancing both their teaching skills and sense of community.

Lindsay Cox, an alumna, shared, “Dr. Carver invited us into her home, going beyond her duty as an educator.”

Carver has also pioneered initiatives like the Summer Program for Undergraduate Researchers and the Dietrich College Scholars, which she co-leads with Ayana Ledford.

Her recent efforts in revamping the Dietrich College’s General Education Program have been pivotal. Amy Burkert, senior vice provost for academic initiatives, praised, “She led the establishment of a general education program for students that is not just checking boxes of course requirements. Instead, she has implemented a core education philosophy, a community of practice and a learning environment that allows all students to grow in multiple competencies, develop a sense of belonging and purpose, and engage in high-impact educational practices.”

This program emphasizes skills for global communication and collaboration, focusing on measurable learning outcomes. Richard Scheines noted, “We all talk a lot about empirically driven iterative improvement in education. Sharon actually gets it to happen.”

In every capacity, Carver’s impact is palpable. Marsha Lovett, vice provost for teaching and learning innovation, expressed, “She is always ready to lend a helping hand, share her expertise and wisdom for someone else’s benefit, and support those around her to be and do their best. We are lucky to have Sharon in our CMU community.”